...And Justice for All (song)

Song

Tour Dates

...And Justice for All is the title track of Metallica's album of the same name. It was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett.

About

The song is about how money is becoming more important than actual justice, which is the basic theme of the entire album. Throughout the song, James Hetfield can be heard saying that "Justice is raped", referring to Lady Justice, who is on the cover of the album. What he means is that justice is becoming overruled by money.

Live

• "...And Justice for All" has been played live 282 times as of January, 2025.
• "...And Justice for All" premiered live for on September 11th, 1988, in Budapest, Hungary, at the MTK Stadion.
• It was last performed live on August 9th, 2014, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at Heavy MTL 2014.
• Due to the song's length, after the Damaged Justice Tour, the song saw an extended absence from live performances until June 28, 2007.
• During live shows, the intro is generally played as a pre-recorded track. Kirk Hammett has stated the reason for this is that the band would have to require the need for three guitarists instead of only two in order for it to sound right.
• Right before Kirk starts his solo, James sings the words "and justice for all", which are not included in the studio version of the song.

Trivia

• This song is a downloadable track for Rock Band.
• "...And Justice for All" is the group's fourth-longest original track.

Lyrics

    Halls of justice painted green, money talking
    Power wolves beset your door, hear them stalking
    Soon you'll please their appetite, they devour
    Hammer of justice crushes you, overpower
    
         The ultimate in vanity
         Exploiting their supremacy
         I can't believe the things you say
         I can't believe, I can't believe the price you pay
         Nothing can save you
    
              Justice is lost
              Justice is raped
              Justice is gone
              Pulling your strings
              Justice is done
              Seeking no truth
              Winning is all
              Find it so grim
              So true, so real
    
    Apathy their stepping stone, so unfeeling
    Hidden deep animosity, so deceiving
    Through your eyes their light burns, hoping to find
    Inquisition sinking you, with prying minds
    
         The ultimate in vanity
         Exploiting their supremacy
         I can't believe the things you say
         I can't believe, I can't believe the price you pay
         Nothing can save you
    
              Justice is lost
              Justice is raped
              Justice is gone
              Pulling your strings
              Justice is done
              Seeking no truth
              Winning is all
              Find it so grim
              So true, so real
    
    Lady justice has been raped, truth assassin
    Rolls of red tape seal your lips, now you're done in
    Their money tips her scales again, make your deal
    Just what is truth? I cannot tell, cannot feel
    
         The ultimate in vanity
         Exploiting their supremacy
         I can't believe the things you say
         I can't believe, I can't believe the price we pay
         Nothing can save us
    
              Justice is lost
              Justice is raped
              Justice is gone
              Pulling your strings
              Justice is done
              Seeking no truth
              Winning is all
              Find it so grim
              So true, so real
    
              Seeking no truth
              Winning is all
              Find it so grim
              So true, so real